Sea of Suds

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“At more than 1,700, the number of breweries in the U.S. is higher than any time since the late 1800s,” notes Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association. “Beer lovers’ appreciation for American craft brewers and their craft beers continue to grow.” But with that increased adoration and fervor comes a market that offers more choice than ever before. Increased space is being devoted to artisanal selections, but the sheer number of options can be intimidating.

So many names. So many styles. What’s a shopper to do?

While the best advice is to try as many different kinds of beers from as many breweries as you can, that might not be the most economical approach. To offer some guidance, we created this guide with some of the best names to look for while perusing your local distributor’s shelves.

Although it’s impossible to list all of the great breweries out there, consider this a jumping off point for when you dive into your beer-tasting adventure."

Full Sail Brewing Co.; Hood River, ORFull Sail produces beers with a local mindset; hops and barley are sourced from neighboring farms and water is tapped from a spring on Mount Hood. The brewery is also environmentally conscious with its own water treatment plant, sustainable filtration system and recycled paperboard packaging.